Books, reports and articles have been written; speeches have been made about the current crisis in Zimbabwe. But very few people have managed to get to the heart of the matter or root causes of the present dilemma. And it goes not without saying that there is no solution until we come to realize the root causes of our political and social crisis. The problem is that we have sinned against God as a nation. We have forsaken God’s moral laws in the bible.

“But if any nation does not listen, l will completely uproot and destroy it” declares the Lord, Jeremiah 12:17.

Humanism

This is a religion, which all those opposed to Christianity embrace. Buddhism, Marxism, Islam etc. fall under this context. In humanism the mind is regarded as the final authority to determine what is right and wrong, good and evil. The ethics of a humanist are autonomous and situational. This was the first and basic sin of Adam and Eve an attempt to be their own god – determining what is right and wrong on their own or their minds attempting to be the source of right and wrong.

In Zimbabwe most of us are humanist and even Christians have become typical humanist. We deny that God’s moral law is our final authority. This is detestable to God who created man for the purpose of glorifying Him. Humanism gives glory to Satan. Humanism has a doctrine of incarnation – the incarnate god being the modern State, which is worshipped through embracing socialism.

“Although our sins testify against us ‘O’ Lord do something for the sake of your name. For our backsliding is great we have sinned against you”, Jeremiah 14:17.

We are experiencing oppression from civil leaders because we have rebelled against God’s wisdom in many ways. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. When a people rebel against God they forsake His principles in relation to trade, worship, social justice, democracy, elections, education and responsibilities to one’s neighbor.

Biblical and historical evidence proves that God judges rebellious people. This is true and must be accepted by everyone, that God judges nations by handing them over to cruel masters and fierce Kings, Isaiah 19:4. The Israelites went under oppression of King Pharaoh because of their evil deeds. In Ezekiel 39:28, God declared that He handed over the Israelites to captivity for their sins. When a people rebel against God as in the above accounts, they give glory to the devil therefore God will chasten them by permitting evil into their lives. God is jealousy of His own glory.

God used Judah to bring terror to rebellious Egyptians, Isaiah 19:17. In Isaiah 42:24, who handed Jacob over to become a loot, and Israel to the plunders? Was it not the Lord whom they have sinned against? For they did not follow His ways, they did not obey His laws. “Any nation that does not listen l will uproot and destroy it, declares the Lord in Jeremiah 12: 17. Jeremiah 14:12, further clarify, “l will destroy them with swords, famine and plague.” In Judges 3:8, “the anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that He sold them into the hands of Cushan – Rishatham King of Aron Naharain to whom Israelites were subject for eight years,” Jeremiah 17:4, Judges 32:12-14, 4:1-2; 6:1; 10:6; Amos 2:4.

In Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8 we are told that God does not change. If He was praised for judging Israel and other stubborn nations will He not judge Zimbabwe in the same manner? Does our immorality and stubborn rebellion not attract God’s awesome Judgment? What is the relation between starvation, and oppression in Zimbabwe with God? Nothing happens in this world without God’s permission. Biblical God brings stubborn and arrogant people into submission.

The modern rebellious man (the humanist) denies that God can judge sinful people. This denial is based on the assumption that man is basically good and is a victim of circumstances. This is a lie, we have failed God in so many ways 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and truth is not in us.” And if we hide our sins we will not be forgiven.

Churches failed

Majority of Churches in Zimbabwe have failed to speak the truth on many life issues. Christianity was limited to spiritual realm and four corners of the Church building. The Church failed dismally to preach the fully counsel of God. The Gospel became too shallow and watered down by human wisdom, 1 Corinthians 2:4. Jesus Christ has commanded Churches to make disciples (Mathew 28:19) but every day we see Churches producing fake converts, people who never felt conviction of sin. Biblical repentance involves conviction, contrition and conversion.

In relation to politics most part of the Church denied that Jesus Christ has nothing to do with politics, which is blasphemy. To them politics means criticizing immorality in State, supporting better opposition leaders and applying God’s law to political and social issues. On contrary most of these Churchman are seen to be voting for the communist Zanu Pf, or putting on clothes with Mugabe’s face or Zanu Pf name.

Truly Christians who denied that Jesus Christ has nothing to do with politics have betrayed Zimbabwe into hands of political prostitutes. Satan has gained so much influence in our politics because we did not shine the light of God’s word.

The Poor and Oppressed ignored

Many Christians continued to vote for Mugabe’s Zanu pf party that murdered missionaries and pastors during the 1970s. As if that is not enough Christians ignored the 1983 genocide in which almost 40 000 Ndebele speaking people were massacred. Many people think that to talk about the 1983 massacre of Ndebele people is uncovering old wounds. Let me say, in the first place such wounds were never covered. We need to continue putting salt on them. Justice must be done – punishing the perpetrators (in accordance with God’s laws) most of them who are in the State now. Christians must always commemorate this cold blood massacre of innocent.

Today Zimbabwean Christians outside the country are silent about the genocide currently taking place. This time Zanu Pf is skilled at killing innocent people through prisons, and starvation. Zanu Pf leaders have no right to deny people relief aid. More than 1000 people are reported to be dying every two weeks through starvation and due to lack of medical attention. This skilled genocide according to many Christians, AU and UN is not genocide.

Abuse of Grace

The Church preaches that we are under Grace and no longer obliged to obey God’s moral laws. This is senseless. This betrays our ignorance of what the law of God means. Whenever God give a moral command it is His moral law. Christians deny that we are under God’s moral laws in the Old Testament at the same time accept the validity of Ten Commandments. (I’m not talking about ceremonial laws, which have their fulfillment in Jesus Christ). Ten Commandments are a summary of God’s law.

Titus defines sin as breaking the law. Therefore logic should tell us that the Apostle Paul was not saying we are saved to break the law of God. In Romans 8:4, Paul clearly shows that God’s law in New and Old Testament is righteous and we should keep it.

Public Responsibility Neglected

When it comes to public issues there is no neutrality but it need all people to join hands and challenge the social injustices in terms of God’s justice. It is the immature who do not realize the impact of neglecting. Tyranny engulfs the whole nation bit by bit. Tyranny is a mark to show that people have rejected the wisdom of Jesus Christ thereby neglecting their duties and responsibilities to others.

It is the immature who deserve more controls and those with a slave mentality are easily enslaved. In Zimbabwe few were calling for God’s justice to be applied to all areas of life. Our problem is indifference, selfishness and insensitivity to the needs of the poor and oppressed. Many humanists lack commitment except to themselves. They fail to realize that injustices committed to others despite number affect the whole nation. For instances Zimbabwe ignored the poor, prisoners, oppressed minorities and the weak now God has handed the whole nation to the oppressive hand of Mugabe’s Zanu Pf.

Christians lack care of others and cannot take courage to challenge the oppressors and risk to free the oppressed. The priority is to advance their lifestyles even at the expense of others. If we are seeking the best for others we will not deny that Christ’s wisdom apply to all areas of life. We often forget that that the idea of responsibility and authority was before the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. Simple sin has encroached into the family, State and Church. All those who deny the application of Christianity to political problems and social issues are failing to take into account the government of King Saul, King David, and Solomon. Nor offer explanation for Christians like Daniel, Joseph, Nehemiah, who became civil rulers.

Selfishness and indifference has lead us to Mugabe’s Tsunami. Mugabe is a punishment from God to us. The solution is that you and me repent from our sins and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Without biblical repentance, revival and reformation in majority of Zimbabweans, Mugabe or his oppressive Zanu Pf will not go or we will get a revolution that destroys the people it intends to save. Without bringing our ideas and action into line with the word of God massive oppression by civil rulers will not leave Zimbabwe. Some are fooled to think that if Mugabe dies all things will become normal that is not true. The whole Zanu Pf State is oppressing people. Zimbabwe is in hands of God we need to understand the causes of our problems and act accordingly.

Message to Western Christians

Surely can we pray and our prayers be answered while we are indifferent and wilful ignorant to the plight of our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe? Freedom and relief of the African people depend so much with the help of people in the Western world. But majority of our Brothers and Sisters in the Western world are the least to respond to our plight. Some have tried to tell me that Zimbabweans have sinned implying that there are not interested. Let me say even in America or Europe there is sin. The reason why God has judged Zimbabwe more than other nations is within His secret throne house. Its wrong to always believe that if someone is suffering physical has sinned more than we all have done.

Christianity is not for comfort. Christianity is not a guarantee for easy, peace, security and prosperity. To be called to Christianity is the same as joining a war. But our war is a spiritual warfare. When I’ become a Christian l encountered problems and temptations l have never before. Satan and his demons are waging a serious war against people of God.

Our next issue will be dealing with how to resist tyranny. Is war against tyranny by legitimate authority lawful? What did great reformers like John Calvin, John Knox say about using force to resist tyranny? Does Zimbabwe need a revolution or not? Can a Christian pioneer a revolution that is meant to overthrow tyranny by use of force. What makes a revolution fail? I’m afraid this forthcoming article will not suit many Christian pacifists. Please if you are not subscribed to us send us your email address or postal address or fax.

Pray for the suffering Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa and Botswana. Pray for the sick and prisoners in Zimbabwe. Pray for the starving in Zimbabwe. Please continue to pray for us and that change may come to Zimbabwe soon.